Lesson 68L The Best and the Worst Luke 22:24- 34

The Dispute of “Who is the Greatest Leader Among the Disciples?”Luke 22:24- 30.

English Standard Version Chapter 22

24 A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 And he said to them, “

The truth is that there is no one greater than the Lord Jesus Christ. That is not saying everyone else does not count. Another great truth is Jesus needs not just one leader but many, This is evident in the statement: “and sit on thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel.”

If Jesus has spots for the disciples to sit on more than one throne to judge the 12 tribes, how many important, spiritual, wise leaders does He need? We he needs at least 12. The Lord is saying the Gentile Kings who are exercising authority over them are called “benefactors.” The definition is a helper or friend of the people Jesus has already set the example of servant leadership. Those who are the servants of the people are truly the ones whom Jesus depends upon. First off, Jesus is shaking things up by saying “let the greatest be the youngest(least regarded) and let the leader be the one who serves. If you are not willing to do it yourself, do not be one who is giving orders. This is not about refusing to delegate, it is the willingness to get your hands dirty if you have to!

When we picture ourselves living a life of leisure and not doing any duty whatsoever, our authority is in question. Jesus then tells them that if they have been with Him in His trials, as the Heavenly Father gave him a kingdom, he gives them a kingdom also through His last will and Testament. Their Kingdom is coming. It is a kingdom where they will eat and drink at His table and where they will sit on individual thrones. On those thrones they will judge the very people to cast them out, the 12 tribes. The Lord’s Prayer becomes increasingly practical and the disciples pray, “thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

The church knows what their role will be in the kingdom of the earthly reign of the Lord Jesus. Check it out. Revelation 1:5, 6: “and from Jesus Christ, who is the Faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us Kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” Does the Lord God the Father, Jesus Christ His Son, and the Holy Spirit have big plans for His church and His people? Of course He does. It says at least Kings and Priests. We will be working royalty in the the coming kingdom, after the tribulation. We will be busy!

The Supper Conversation Continues 22: 31- 34

English Standard Version Chapter 22

31 “

This is an excellent way to deliver sobering news of failure. Use words that are encouraging and uplifting, and then give bold direction for the future. The Bold direction is “strengthen your brothers!” Peter is being told he is so important that Satan demanded to sift him like wheat, but the Lord is praying that his faith does not fail. When you have turned again in the right direction, then strengthen your brothers. Big things are expected of Peter that required the Lord’s Jesus to intervene. As soon as Peter boasted that he was ready to got to prison and die, the Lord lowers the hammer. peter then gets the word that was worse than any beating: He would deny Jesus before the rooster crows three times. Peter is a big cog in a very big whee, but he still has the capacity to do something very embarrassing and he does.

I might add that I probably would have said the same kind of thing as Peter did. If we are not bold enough to step out on a limb for Jesus we may never experience the heights of faith’s journey. He stepped boldly, felt the sting of rebuke, and became one of the most bold apostles. He even has penned Scripture for us to learn and live by. I appreciate that he publicly before the others that nothing would stop him from serving Jesus. He just proved that he was one of us. Then he put an exclamation point on it through his life and his death. Well done Peter.

Scripture Shows us Jesus 22:35- 38

English Standard Version Chapter 22

35 And he said to them, “

This are the first time that Jesus has told them to buy a sword for defense of themselves. He is changing instructions for them as they now will be dealing with new attitudes after His crucifixion. “Guys remember when I sent you out unprepared? Forget that. Make some preparation and get your self a weapon. Things are getting dangerous. We should note that in three years they have lacked nothing. Nada. Nope. Zilch! Next we note that two swords are enough for 12 guys. Perhaps it will be important in the future for people to see that they are not to be trifled with. We have swords and we know how to use them. I’m not sure if this was what Peter took permission from Jesus to cut off a man’s ear, but he did. We do not read about the apostles swords after the cross.

Verse 37 has Jesus showing us that the passage in Isaiah 53:11, 12 would be fulfilled in Him:

English Standard Version Chapter 53

11  Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;

by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,

make many to be accounted righteous,

and he shall bear their iniquities.

12  Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many,

and he shall divide the spoil with the strong,

because he poured out his soul to death

and

Jesus was counted among the transgressors, He bore the sin of many and now makes intercession for transgressors. It’s good just to meditate on that as the transgressed now intercedes for those who transgressed against Him. By the way, Isn’t this type of language again used in the Lord’s prayer? There it mentions trespasses/debtors but the same principle is involved. Forgive them. The Lord’s Prayer was a lot of instruction on how to live not just before the cross, but after Jesus had gone back to heaven.